36 COVID CASES, 5 DEATHS, 51 VARIANTS CONFIRMED IN SIMCOE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

SIMCOE-MUSKOKA — The health unit reports 36 new COVID cases Tuesday.

And 51 people have now tested positive for the UK B.1.1.7 variant.

That’s 32 more than reported yesterday.

An additional 94 cases have screened positive and are awaiting confirmation.

And 5 more people in Simcoe have died.

None of the above numbers are in Muskoka, according to Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) statistics.

One case from Bracebridge was moved to another health unit yesterday.

SMDHU NOTES:

  • 17,245 doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been administered in Simcoe Muskoka (497 Monday). This includes more than 1,700 people who have received both of the required doses of the vaccine. Also 2,851 (89 per cent) long-term care residents and 2,242 (or 62 per cent) of retirement home residents have received their first dose.
  • There have been 67 new cases reported to the health unit for the current week (31 yesterday and 36 today). There were 304 new cases reported to the health unit last week, more than 30 per cent lower than the 444 cases the week before.
  • In January 84 Simcoe Muskoka residents died from COVID-19, more than four times higher than the number of deaths in December 2020 (18).

IN OTHER COVID NEWS …

  • Ontario expected to return all students — including those in Muskoka — to school next week. Announcement coming Wednesday.
  • Ontario says it will miss Feb. 5 deadline to provide vaccine to all LTC residents. Says it is due to supply delays. But expects to hit new target by next Monday, Feb. 10.
  • Moderna in U.S. could increase number of vaccine doses in each vial.
  • British spread of UK variant could make vaccines less effective, says study.
  • Dr. Anthony Faucci says it’s hard to say when your health will return to normal after COVID.
  • Aylmer Church of God will continue indoor services after being charged following Sunday’s service in which 2 congregants were also charged.
A snapshot of where Simcoe-Muskoka is as of Tuesday, Feb. 2.
The numbers look good on the surface today with 36 regional cases, but there are 51 confirmed UK variant cases with 94 awaiting complete confirmation.

Email [email protected] or [email protected]

Celebrating 26 YEARS of ‘Local Online Journalism’

Follow us at Twitter @muskokatoday & on Facebook at mclairmont1

Leave your comments at end of story. Or write a letter to the Editor at [email protected]

And subscribe for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]

Or online at https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions